BREAKFAST PATROL

Letters to 'Mr. Breakfast'

September 18, 2008

Chicagoans embraced Alan Barrett's search for a great breakfast ("Mr. Breakfast's Chicago Challenge!" At Play, Sept. 11). More than 170 readers had suggestions for "Mr. Breakfast."(OK, there were suggestions about his propensity for wearing a YANKEES cap IN A RESTAURANT, but we'll ignore that issue for the moment.)

Anyway, so many people wrote in with so many really, really good suggestions that we got really, really hungry. So, in the Sept. 25 issue of At Play, we will print as many of your suggestions as space allows. Until then, here's a sampling:

"I think he should make a trip to Kankakee, especially on a Saturday morning, and go to Blue's [Cafe, 1190 W.] Station Street. It's been at this location since the 1940s when Ropers was a big factory in town. I love what I call the mess, English muffin, gravy, ham, cheese, and egg. You could top it off with one of the 15-plus homemade pies. YUM. In addition, so that the trip south would not be wasted, stop by the terrific farmers market downtown on Schuyler on Saturday. It's great too."

-- Bill Briggs

"I strongly recommend the Depot American Diner at 5840 W. Roosevelt [Rd.]. It's in Chicago, across the street from Cicero and almost in Oak Park. Great biscuits and gravy, ham carved off the bone, good omelets and hash browns. They open at 6 a.m."

-- Jane

"Mr. Breakfast needs to go to the Heartland Cafe [www.heartlandcafe.com] and if he's is in a downtown mood, then try Yolk [www.yolk-online.com] -- they've got 'green eggs & ham' on the menu."